Jimmy Butler Traded To Warriors After Tumultuous Season With Heat

Jimmy Butler’s time in Miami is officially over. After months of behind-the-scenes drama, trade requests, and team-imposed suspensions, the Heat have traded the six-time All-Star to the Golden State Warriors in a blockbuster multi-team deal. 

Butler confirmed the news himself with a musical tweet, marking the start of a new chapter in his career.Even his now former teammate found time to share a post on instagram, referencing the trade.

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Kevin Love (@kevinlove)

 As part of the agreement, Butler will decline his $52 million player option for next season and is planning to sign a new two-year, $111 million deal that carries through the 2026-27 season, as per ESPN.

The Butler-Miami Fallout

The tension between Butler and the team had been building for a while, especially team president Pat Riley. The tension surfaced after the Heat lost to the Boston Celtics in the first round of the playoffs last season. Butler missed the entire series due to a knee injury and suggested the team would have won if he played. Riley fired back, telling him to “keep your mouth shut.”

On Christmas, reports surfaced that Butler wanted a trade before the February deadline, although he hadn't officially requested one. Riley quickly dismissed the idea, stating, "We are not trading Jimmy Butler." When asked about his future, Butler shrugged and later said his role on the team was beyond repair.

His frustration boiled over with three suspensions, two for conduct issues and one for missing a flight. His latest suspension started on January 27, after he walked out of practice upon learning he would come off the bench.

Jimmy Butler walked out of Heat shootaround this morning after being informed the team is planning not to start him -- with Haywood Highsmith starting -- moving forward, sources tell ESPN. https://t.co/8I31eT524l

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 27, 2025

The Heat announced he would miss at least five games, lining up with the trade deadline. Butler hasn't played for the Heat since January 21.

The Trade Details

ESPN report Shams Charania broke the news on social media on 5th Feb, a day before the trade deadline.

BREAKING: The Miami Heat are finalizing a deal to send Jimmy Butler to the Golden State Warriors for Andrew Wiggins, Dennis Schroder, Kyle Anderson and a protected first-round pick, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/82mWHKCnVM

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 6, 2025

The four-team deal between the Miami Heat, Golden State Warriors, Utah Jazz, and Detroit Pistons shakes up multiple rosters:
Warriors receive: Jimmy Butler (from Heat).
Heat receive: Andrew Wiggins (from Warriors), Kyle Anderson (from Warriors), P.J. Tucker (from Jazz) and Top-10 protected 2025 first-round pick (from Warriors).
Jazz receive: Dennis Schröder (from Warriors).
Pistons receive: Lindy Waters III (from Warriors), Josh Richardson (from Heat). 

Implications for the NBA

The move has major implications for both conferences. The Warriors, who are currently 11th in the Western Conference, are going all in to win another title with Stephen Curry. Adding Butler gives them a tough defender and a proven leader, making them even stronger for the playoffs.

For the Heat, this is a fresh start. Instead of relying on one superstar, they’re building a deeper, more balanced team with Wiggins and other key pieces.

One thing is certain—the Warriors vs. Heat matchup on March 25 just got a whole lot more interesting.

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